An investment of around 1 billion AMD for the housing project by Viva-MTS

Now already 17 years Viva-MTS has been guided with the logic of being helpful to the country and the society. For the company, Corporate Social Responsibility is a value system. Programs that provide long-term results are of special importance. One of them is the housing program implemented in all regions of Armenia. For more than ten years, and in partnership with the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia, the number of beneficiary families has been increased to about four hundred. For this, Viva-MTS has made an investment of around 1 billion AMD.

The heads of partner organizations paid a regular visit to Aragatsotn region. Throughout the implementation of the program, 69 families received support in this region alone. The Movsisyan family living in the village of Zarinja is one of the beneficiaries; the heads of Viva-MTS and the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia have been hosted in the newly built house of Movsisyan family.

“As a rule, the outcomes of programs are judged by figures and facts. And that makes the visible part of a project report. But there is also an outcome that cannot be measured in any way: and that is the happiness that people who have overcome years of hardship feel. We value both on equal shares. And that maybe the reason we managed to keep the program going even in time of pandemic and war. Where there is purpose there is also a way to reach it. This program is a way to be useful for our country and our compatriots,” Viva-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian said.

“The need for decent housing varies from region to region. We try to support all those families who are also willing to partake in the project, no matter they live in a metal container or a half-built house. As a result, everyone has a simple, decent home to live a life free from everyday household problems,” said Ashot Yeghiazaryan, the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia President.

Vahram’s family obtained the house 10 years ago with the aim to move to live separately; however, their hope to complete the construction of the house has been decreasing year by year. Instead, the difficulties have increased. Three years ago, Vahram, together with his wife and two children, moved to live in the house with concrete floors, walls and a leaking roof. And only with the support of partner organizations the family was able to complete tհe construction. It’s already 4 months the family lives in a heated cozy home.

“We are hard-working people; as Armenians like to say we squeeze bread from stone; nevertheless, no matter how much we have been trying to save and spend on the house construction, it did not work out. If it were not for your support, my children would have lived on this concrete floor without basic conditions, inside the cold and damp walls for many years. Your support was of vital importance for us,” said Vahram.

The commitment of the partners to assist the families is persistent; the partners give importance not only to the visible side of the project but also to its psychological impact on families.

Viva-MTS (MTS Armenia CJSC) is Armenia’s leading telecommunications operator, having the widest network reach and spreading a wide range of Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having the best of the Armenian people at heart since its launch on 1st July 2005 and in a short period of time Viva-MTS has managed to build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base. Viva-MTS drives innovation and aims at always being at the forefront of any development serving the Armenian mobile communications market.  The company follows the guidance provided by ISO 26000 (International Standard of Social Responsibility), ISO/IEC 27001:2013 (Information Security Management System), and ISO 37001 (International anti-bribery management systems standard).

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC (“MTS”) is the leading telecommunications group in Russia and the CIS, offering mobile and fixed voice, broadband, pay-TV as well as content and entertainment services in one of the world’s fastest-growing regions. Including its subsidiaries, the Group services over 86.5 million mobile subscribers in Russia, Armenia and Belarus. Since June Y2000, MTS’ Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol MBT). Additional information about the MTS Group can be found at: www.mtsgsm.com

Fuller Center for Housing Armenia is a non-governmental, charitable organization that supports community development in the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh by assisting in building and renovating simple, decent, and affordable homes, as well as advocating the right to a decent shelter as a matter of conscience and action. FCHA provides long-term, interest-free loans to low-income families. The monthly repayments flow into a Revolving Fund, which is used to help more families, thereby providing a financial foundation for sustainable development. Since 2008 the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia has assisted about 1300 families. For more information, please visit www.fcharmenia.org or email us at fcarmenia@fcharmenia.org